Draft Environmental Impact Assessment Report - Meghalaya State ...

Potential Environmental Impacts and Mitigation Measuresmonsoon period. All wastes arising from the project will be disposed off, in strictadherence to the State Pollution Control Board norms. Silt fencing will be provided toprevent sediments and pollutants from the construction site entering into the nearbywatercourses.4.2.2 Land RequirementConstruction PhaseThe present road widening will require land acquisition, which will lead to change in landuse pattern. No adverse impact on the environment is anticipated due to hydrologicalfactors. However cutting of hills will have adverse impacts e.g. erosion, unstable hillslopes etc.The problem of soil erosion during the construction stage is likely to be more pronouncedalong bridge-end fills, over steep banks and embankment slopes. Destabilization ofslopes is expected due to embankments, modification of flows. Site tipping and spoilmaterial will lead to increased erosion. Water flow diversion will also lead to soil erosion.Compaction of soil will occur in the pre-construction and construction stage (particularlyduring site clearance stage) due to movement of heavy machinery and vehicles.Compaction of soil is likely to occur during transplantation of trees and during setting upof construction camps and stockyards.Contamination of soil will result due to solid waste disposed from construction camps,leakage and spillage of fuel and lubricants from construction vehicles, improper disposalof construction wastes and spoils.Operation PhaseContamination of soil is expected due to deposition of the chemicals from the emission ofthe vehicles as well as accidental spills from the vehicles. During operation phasefollowing restrictions should be imposed.Construction within ROW should be such as not to cause damage to the environment andthe existing regulation should be enforced strictly.Usage of Bio-engineering techniques for slope stabilization (Annexure 4.1)Plantation of trees, shrubs and bushes as appropriate to soil characteristics and climateconditions.Mitigation MeasuresThe adverse impacts on the land due to the project will be mitigated by a) minimizing thearea of ground clearance, b) avoiding steep slopes, excess cut & fill to minimize theproduction to spoil material, c) avoiding the use of contaminated site, d) avoiding slopeswhose embankment angles are more than natural angle of repose for that soil, e)replanting the disturbed areas immediately after disturbance stopped, instead of waitingfor the construction to get over.Replanting cleared areas and slopes is the most effective action to be taken in reducingerosion and stability problems. Grasses will be planted on the embankment slopes toeffectively limit the surface erosion.Draft Environmental Impact Assessment4 - 2